Houses of parliament
MPs on the public administration select committee have made the surprise decision to hear from the anti-lobbyist group Spinwatch.

Representatives of Spinwatch, set up to ‘monitor the role of public relations and spin in contemporary society' will appear before the committee on Thursday January 24.

In its written evidence to the committee, Spinwatch says that ‘lobbying continues to be shrouded in mystery'.

It argues that the industry's efforts to regulate itself have ‘demonstrably failed to ensure transparency' and advises that Parliament should take ‘determined action'.

Spinwatch will be represented by the academics William Dinan and David Miller. The select committee will also hear from representatives of Unlock Democracy, which incorporates the campaign group Charter 88.

The select committee is conducting the first detailed parliamentary examination of lobbying since 1991.